Civil Defence

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Questions (326)

Pauline Tully

Question:

326. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Defence the reason the transportation service to hospital appointments for persons with no transportation options which was being provided by voluntary organisations such as the Civil Defence was recently discontinued given the high and rising Covid-19 incidence rate and that fact that the majority of the persons using this service were elderly and therefore at high risk from Covid-19; his plans to reintroduce this service now that it has been felt necessary to reintroduce some restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57423/21]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.

The local authorities have operational responsibility for Civil Defence. There is a Civil Defence Unit in each local authority area. Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of the relevant Local Authority for that area and the CDO is a full time employee of the local authority.

The decision of a Civil Defence Unit to provide or to discontinue a particular service is ultimately a matter for each local authority. The Minister for Defence has no role in the day to day management of local Civil Defence Units.

Notwithstanding the above, I understand that, given the current heightened public health concerns, the Department of Housing have recently requested the Local Authorities ensure that Community Callhelpline numbers are open so that, if there are people in need of support, they can access help locally.